INDIANAPOLIS - The University of Indianapolis announced Doug Robinson as its first-ever head coach for its newly-established NCAA II sprint draft-legal women's triathlon program. The University announced the addition of women's triathlon earlier this month and will begin competition in the fall of this year.
 
"We are so pleased to welcome Coach Robinson to the UIndy family to lead our women's triathlon program," UIndy President Dr. Tanuja Singh commented.  "In Coach Robinson we are adding a lifelong teacher and developer of elite talent who we believe will guide Greyhound women's triathlon to rapid growth, notoriety, and future successes, both throughout Indiana and on the national level."
 
Robinson brings a wealth of experience to UIndy, most recently as the co-founder, owner, and head coach at Phoenix Fitness and Training LLC, based here in the Circle City. Over the years in his role at Phoenix, Robinson coached over 100 direct report athletes and more than 200 training group athletes. Also, in her high school years, he coached Charlotte Kumler, who finished second at the 2023 NCAA DIII National Championships.
 
"I am extremely excited to begin this next adventure in my coaching career to create, build and lead the University of Indianapolis's NCAA women's triathlon program," said Robinson. "Coaching at the collegiate level has been a dream that is over 30 years in the making and since the announcement in 2014 that triathlon would be an NCAA emerging sport, that dream has been an even bigger one."
 
Prior to beginning his own business, Robinson founded the triathlon program at Jordan YMCA, running 25 practices per week with six assistant coaches on staff from 2007-14 with over 1000 athletes served. 
 
Robinson has various experience coaching at all levels, including serving as the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Butler University for its women's soccer program for nine years. He has coached USA Cycling as a Level 2 Coach of elite and club cyclists since 1992, as well as working as the head coach for US Masters Swimming for Jordan YMCA Multifit program from 2012-14.
 
Robinson continued: "I want to thank Dr. Scott Gines and the Athletics Department at UIndy for giving me this opportunity and trusting me with the task of crafting a championship culture and team as we help develop our student-athletes not only into nationally competitive triathletes, but successful young adults."
 
USA Triathlon Chief Sport Development Officer Tim Yount praises the hiring of Coach Robinson, speaking to his experience.
 
"If an institution was to ask me for a list of top five coaches it could consider to lead an NCAA Triathlon squad, Doug Robinson's name would be part of that grouping," said Yount. "Not only does he represent one of the best in triathlon, but will bring a fresh perspective around events, recruitment and leadership. If you are at the DII level, you better watch out…as UIndy will be coming!"
 
Robinson carries a plethora of track and field coaching experience, dating back to his time as a volunteer assistant with Penn State in the early '90s. At the high school level, Robinson was a track and field and cross country coach for State College Area School District and North Central High School.
 
Robinson also currently competes as a triathlete and cyclist and has made multiple Team USA World Championship appearances and podium finishes. After earning his Master of Science in Elementary Education from Penn State, Robinson served as a fifth grade teacher for a decade.
 
University of Indianapolis Interim VP for Athletics Dr. D. Scott Gines stated, "Coach Robinson is a builder, a program creator, one who loves to develop something from nothing, and he has a passion for doing so within a team sport, and draft-legal makes NCAA women's triathlon wonderfully unique. Women's triathlon is a perfect sport for women high school multi-sport athletes, and I believe Doug and women's triathlon will excel at UIndy."